Mogga's Pass Test

[Gunnerhibby]

Tony Mowbrays tenure as Hibs manager faces its first big test tomorrow as his young charges face Rangers at Ibrox. Mowbray has waxed lyrical about why he came to Easter Road and the challenges he wants to face head-on, and they dont come much bigger than this.

It's 9 years since Darren Jackson scored the only goal in Hibs last win at Ibrox and Mogga will hoping his players can bring this particular statistic to a close. The Hibs boss has instilled a gallous, almost arrogant way about the players and the manner in which they play his total football method. Performers such as Scott Brown, who certainly does'nt need an influx of arrogance, Garry O'Connor, Steven Whittaker, even Stephen Glass, now play as though they have a sense of purpose about what they are trying to acheive. Very different from the heady days of last season when Bobby Williamson failed to inspire his players to any level of consistency.

Last weeks result at Fir Park showed the Hibs fans that the team is prepared to battle it out, in more ways than one, and defend doggedly when the situation warrants. At the same time, Hibs were also able to show that Mowbrays philosophy of incisive passing and movement, can still be acheived.

On more than a few occasions they opened up the Motherwell defence by going at them with a fast, flowing type of game, which created Gary OConnors winning strike, and, for the lack of composure and the luck that all teams must carry, it could have been a more emphatic victory.

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Goals For Garry

It would be naive to think that Hibs would be afforded the possesion they have enjoyed in the past two games, that they would get at Ibrox tomorrow, but they must believe that they have the capabilities to pass their way through the game and leave Rangers having to come to Hibs for the ball, rather than Hibs presenting them with it, as has happened all too frequently in the past to our demise.

Mowbray has been forced to make changes to his side in light of Murdoch and Brebners dismissals, but the players who can come in have shown they can produce. Although his defensive options are minimal, Jon Bailie was a more than adequate replacement for Colin Murdock in last years CIS Cup victory over Celtic, what a game to make your debut in, but he played as though he'd been there all season.


In midfield, for Brebner, there is more choice. There are a number of options available but I believe he will bring in Dean Shiels for his first SPL start, and he may also give a starting place to another youngster, Jay Shields.
Shields, the Scottish version, can give that bit of tenacity to the middle of the park, whilst Shiels, the Irish version, will be his creative foil.
It would be said that this would be a very inexperienced line-up, but Hibs dont have an abundance of "Auld Heids" and now is the time for the "laddies" to grow up. If they can produce the openings for an in-form Garry O'Connor, then Hibs will trouble Rangers.



Already McLeish is making noises that this game should've have been postponed because of their european involvement, which gives the impression that their concentration might not be all it should be. This is a great opportunity for Hibs to "get in amongst them" and cause them all sorts of problems. It does'nt take much to get the home support shuffling in their seats, and the more quiet their fans are, the more worrying it is for their players.

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A Ginger Tosser

Lets hope that fortune favours the brave and Hibs have the minerals to have a go.

BOUNCESport Verdict: If Bill Hill is giving 100/1 then I'm going for it. 2-1 to the Hibees